Whoever believes Mark 16:16

Zephaniah 3:17 17. The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Mark 16:16 (ESV) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe […]

We need to do the same

Psalm 82:3-5 (NLT) 3 Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. 4 Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people. 5 But these oppressors know nothing; they are so ignorant! They wander about in darkness, while the whole world is […]

Changing truth. Job 19:25

Job 19:25 (NLT) 25 “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. Colossians 1:17-18 (NLT) 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, […]

Spring cleaning. Ephesians 4:32

It’s spring here in Chicago*. Spring means spring cleaning. The leaves that refused to drop before the snows (which were many many) are cleaned up. The garden tractor I cracked up last summer is fixed and now has a heavy duty guard on the front. The snow blower is going back to the shed and […]

I pray for the return of Christ. 1 Peter 2:24

1 Peter 2:24 (NLT) 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. By his wounds you are healed. So close to Easter, we can envision the wounds he endured for us. […]

Wisdom seeks its place… James 1:5

James 1:5 (NLT) 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. “If you need wisdom….” I wonder if that’s not a rhetorical statement – “If you need wisdom….” Really? Today is a scary place where we’re getting into things we […]

Let’s consider why we do things…. Exodus 23:12

Exodus 23:12 (NLT) 12 “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed.” What do donkeys, ox, and slaves have […]

Taste and see… Timothy 4

2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NLT) 4 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your […]

Merry Christmas! All we have to do is turn to him. Psalm 42:11

Psalm 42:11 (NLT) 11 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again — my Savior and my God! Because he delivers. He delivers out of selfless love and all we have to do is turn to him. Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) 6 […]

Such a huge crowd… Proverbs 4:11

Proverbs 4:11 (NLT) 11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us […]

Where do you lead? Proverbs 28:10

Proverbs 28:10 (NLT) 10 Those who lead good people along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things. Matthew 12:36 (NLT) 36 “And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak”. Have you ever led anyone? We […]

Now that’s peaceful. Romans 8:38-39

Romans 8:38-39 (NLT) 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons (nor rulers), neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above […]

Husbands, love your wives Ephesians 5:25-26

Ephesians 5:25-26 (NLT) 25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. One of the gripes people throw at Christ is the whole wives shall submit to their husbands. […]

Revival Matthew 5:43-45

Matthew 5:43-45 (NLT) 43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the […]

Security blanket Psalm 86:4-5

Psalm 86:4-5(NLT) 4 Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. 5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. It’s the ultimate security blanket. Such a good Lord so full of unfailing love to those who ask […]

At least Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 (NLT) 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Everything. Even be patient when it doesn’t seem like I can be patient. Even be comfortable when comfort isn’t much. Looking at a couple of bills I know I can’t pay until I get back to work. Ah, get back […]

I wish it were that easy 2 Corinthians 9:7

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT) 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” Proverbs 22:8 (NLT) Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end. Ahhhh, the […]

It’s all in the red letters Colossians 1:15-17

Colossians 1:15-17 (NLT) 15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, […]

Forward is The Way Luke 19:5-10 Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

Luke 19:5-10 (ESV) 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for fI must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in […]

Truth is where? 1 John 4 Psalm 16:1-4

1 John 4 (NIV) 4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Psalm 16:1-4 (NIV) 1 Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, “You […]

On being relevant Psalm 11:1-3

Psalm 11:1-3 (ESV) 3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? If? I guess as long as there is one Christ follower left the foundations won’t be destroyed. Well, wait. Wrong. As long as there is God, the foundations will never be destroyed, so they never will. But here – what about […]

What do you believe? Psalm 8:3-4 John 11:25-26

Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV) 3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? John 11:25-26 (NIV) 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and […]

Three tough men Psalm 121:5 Luke 5:8-11

Psalm 121:5 (NLT) 5 The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. Luke 5:8-11 (MSG) 8-10 Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” When they pulled in that catch […]

Christ the Socialist? James 3:13-15 Luke 12:32-34

James 3:13-15 (NIV) Two Kinds of Wisdom 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. […]

Birthmark or Birthright Matthew 19:25-26 James 4:8-10 John 11:25-26

Matthew 19:25-26 (MSG) 25 The disciples were staggered. “Then who has any chance at all [to get into Heaven]?” 26 Jesus looked hard at them and said, “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.” James 4:8-10 (ESV) […]

An ostrich thinks it’s safe until it realizes it isn’t. John 4:23-24 Matthew 13:41-43

John 4:23-24 “23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Matthew 13:41-43 “41 The Son of […]

Matthew 12:7 John 14:6-7 Acts 20:28 Nice

Matthew 12:7 (NIV) “7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’, you would not have condemned the innocent.” John 14:6-7 (NIV) “6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, […]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 John 11:25 Kick the tires, check it out, test everything

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (NIV) “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of […]

Matthew 6:24 Matthew 20:32-33 Is there a reason?

Matthew 6:24 (MSG) “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money” Matthew 20:32-33 (NIV) “32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, […]

Exodus 17-12, Matthew 9:36-38 Answering a prayer

Exodus 17:12 “But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” Matthew 9:36-38 […]

Matthew 9:10-13 Hanging out in the fringes.

Matthew 9:10-13 “10 And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard […]

Psalm 141:5-6 Matthew 9:2-4 Mark 8:36-38 I stand corrected.

Psalm 141:5-6“4 Keep my heart from desiring any evil thing, or from taking part in the sins of the evil-doers with men who do wrong: and let me have no part in their good things. 5 Let the upright give me punishment; and let the god-fearing man put me in the right way; but I […]

Amos 5:24 Luke 7:47 Who do you love?

Amos 5:24 “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” Luke 7:47 “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Who do you love? Who do you forgive? Who do you bless? Do we live […]

Matthew 5:17-19 Where is the love?

Matthew 5:17-19 “17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear […]

Romans 1:16-17 Mark 12:29-31 I am not ashamed

Romans 1:16-17 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as […]

Psalms 34-8 Luke 7:23 Tripping on Jesus

Psalms 34:8 “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” Luke 7:23 “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Stumble on account of Jesus? What a tumultuous time it must have been. John is telling people ‘wait for the Christ to come’, […]

1 Peter 5:8-10 Wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh

1 Peter 5:8 – 10 “8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And […]

Romans 8:35-39 More than conquerors

Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors […]

1 Peter 4:7 Turn out the lights, the party’s over

1 Peter 4:7 (link to v1-11) “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” Turn out the lights There are only two things that are certain in this life, death and taxes. Blah, blithering blah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Most folks prepare for tax season once […]

Proverbs 25:28

Anger, fury, rage: open wide and say “attack me, I have no peace”. Proverbs 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. The self leads us to all sorts of bad things – self will, self centered being the main ones, but self important, self righteous, follow closely […]